Bartlett teacher put on leave to return today

A Bartlett High School teacher who was placed on administrative leave Monday has been told he can return to classes today. English teacher Gary Lorber was asked to leave the school Monday in response, he said, to speaking out against the district's new grading policy. Elgin Area School District U-46 denied his comments were the issue. Full story.

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Victim speaks before bank robber gets 30 more years

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman sentenced Maday to more than 30 years in prison for a Lake Zurich robbery, as well as five other robberies and an attempted robbery that happened in Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Huntley and Bloomingdale in late 2008. Maday, 43, is most widely known for a dramatic escape from custody that riveted the suburbs in 2009. But a teller in the Lake Zurich robbery talked about how the event affected her. Full story.

Former Lake County basketball standout gets 3 years prison

Jereme Richmond, 21, was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday for threatening a probation officer after a dispute over a court-ordered drug test. Richmond, of Waukegan, played for a year at the University of Illinois before going undrafted by the NBA. Full story.

Waukegan public housing authority named in bedbug suit

A federal lawsuit blames Waukegan's public housing authority for being responsible for bedbugs infesting some residents' apartments. The suit claims the 155-unit Harry Poe Manor in downtown Waukegan is infested with bedbugs and the housing authority has done nothing despite knowing about it since January 2011. Full story.

Naperville criminal activity down

Criminal activity declined roughly 11 percent in downtown Naperville during the first 10 months of the year, Naperville police said yesterday. Officials attribute the decline to new enforcement strategies implemented last October and the development of a best practices manual for safety at downtown restaurants and bars. Full story.

Batavia preps for state game

Meet the Batavia High School Bulldogs at a meet-and-greet tonight as they get gear up for Saturday's 6A state championship game in DeKalb. The Bulldogs take on Richards High School at 1 p.m. at Northern Illinois University. Full story.

Weather

Mostly cloudy and cold with a high of only 35 degrees today. Temperatures will be about 30 degrees when you head out this morning, then dip back to 20 degrees tonight. Full weather.

Traffic

Cool weather coupled with snow flurries yesterday are creating slick roads this morning. Spin outs are being reported on the Jane Addams Tollway, in Arlington Heights and in Round Lake. People are urged to slow down and to watch out for black ice this morning. Full traffic.

Bears defense can't be excused

The Chicago Bears are giving up more than 28 points per game, putting them on pace to break franchise records in defensive futility. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker's group would could allow as many as 6,016 yards. Full story.

With Derrick Rose out, just gut the Bulls?

What does Mike Imrem have to lose by suggesting that the Bulls, now without Rose, dump all their players, tank the rest of the season and embark on another never-ending rebuilding project in Chicago sports? Well, there is one concern, Imrem writes. By the way, the Bulls lost their fourth straight.

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